Multipurpose holster

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for providing a worker with a means for keeping tools close at hand while working. The apparatus comprises a holster member having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material and engageable with a user&#39;s belt or a user&#39;s waistband. Such holster member includes a back portion having on of a pair of slots formed therein for engagement with such user&#39;s belt and a clip member attached to such back portion for engagement with such user&#39;s belt or waistband. A pocket member is affixed to the back portion for holding at least one tool. A ring member is engageable with one of the back portion and the pocket member for holding a hammer, such ring member being disposed at a predetermined angle from one of the back portion and the pocket member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/913,682 filed Apr. 24, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a tool holster, and, moreparticularly, the present invention relates to multipurpose tool holsterthat can carry both a hammer and a utility knife.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Holsters are worn to provide a means for keeping tools close at handwhile working. Typical holster designs are only capable of holding onespecific tool. This requires the worker to purchase and wear multipleholsters on their belt. In tight working conditions, such as bathrooms,closets and crawlspaces, these multiple attachments on the worker's beltincrease the chances of the holster, and subsequently the worker,becoming hooked or snagged onto surrounding items such as ladder frames,exposed beams or even nails. All in all the multiple holsters can becomea problem in confined areas.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were an apparatus or a means bywhich the number of holsters needed to carry the tools necessary for theworker could be reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for providing a worker witha means for keeping tools close at hand while working. The apparatuscomprises a holster member having a predetermined shape and formed of apredetermined material and engageable with a user's belt or a user'swaistband. Such holster member includes a back portion having one of apair of slots formed therein for engagement with such user's belt or aclip member attached thereto for engagement with such user's belt orwaistband. A pocket member is affixed to the back portion for holding atleast one tool. A ring member is engageable with one of the back portionand the pocket member for holding a hammer, such ring member beingdisposed at a predetermined angle from one of the back portion and thepocket member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a holster that can serve more than one purpose.

Another object of the present invention to provide a holster that cancarry a hammer.

Still another object of the present invention to provide a holster thatcan be engaged with a user's belt or waistband.

Yet another object of the present invention to provide a holster that ismade of leather.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention whichhave been described in some specific detail above it should be notedthat various other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in therelevant art from the following more detailed description, particularlywhen such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective drawing of the holster member according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective drawing of the holster shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the holster member having a clip attached to aback side thereto for engagement with a user's belt or waistband.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identicalcomponents which have identical functions have been designated byidentical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated inthe drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generallydesignated 10, for providing a worker with a means for keeping toolsclose at hand while working. The apparatus 10 comprises a holster member2 having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined materialand engageable with one of such user's belt or such user's waistband.Such holster member 2 includes a back portion 4 having one of a pair ofslots 6 formed therein for engagement with such user's belt and a clipmember 14 attached to a back side thereof for engagement with a user'sbelt or a user's waistband. A pocket member 8 is affixed to a front sideof the back portion 4 for holding at least one tool. A ring member 12 isengageable with one of the back portion 4 and such pocket member 8 forholding a hammer, such ring member 12 is disposed at a predeterminedangle from one of back portion 4 and pocket member 8.

It is presently preferred that such predetermined angle is generally aright angle and also that such ring member 12 is securely affixed to anexterior portion of the back portion 4 of the holster 2. It is alsopreferred that such ring member 12 is immobile, that is it does notchange the angle with the holster 2 in order to make removal andreplacement of such hammer easy with a minimum amount of trouble thatcould happen if the ring member 12 were free to move. This isparticularly important when physical movement is restricted due to thelocation of the project. Such ring member 12 is made of metal and it ispreferred that such metal be steel. It is also presently preferred thatsuch ring member 12 be attached to an exterior portion of both the backportion 4 and the pocket member 8. Further, it is preferred that thering member 12 be attached by means of rivets.

The pocket member 8 can be affixed to the back portion 4 by variousmeans such as rivets, snaps and sewing. Although any means would beacceptable it is presently preferred that such pocket member 8 beaffixed to the back portion 4 by means of rivets.

The slots 6 that are formed in the back portion 4 are used to slide auser's belt therethrough thereby securing the apparatus 10 to suchuser's belt. If the clip member 14 is used it is affixed to the backside of the back portion 4, and such clip member is engageable witheither a user's belt or waistband. It should be noted that such backportion 4 has an aperture 16 disposed closely adjacent a top of the backportion 4 of the holster 2. Such aperture 16 permits the holster 2 to behung on a peg or a nail when not in use.

Such predetermined material for forming such holster 2 is selected fromplastic, modified rubber, and leather and it is presently preferred thatpredetermined material is leather.

Such pocket 8 can be used to hold a variety of tools, however, it isprimarily designed for holding a utility knife.

Thus, the present invention provides a multipurpose holster used to holdboth a hammer and a utility knife. The holster is constructed ofdurable, rugged materials such as plastic, modified rubber and leather.It is preferred that it be constructed of leather and preferablycowhide. There is an integrated loop (pair of slots) at the top of theholster which is used to slide the user's belt therethrough to securethe holster in place. The holster consists of a back portion and apocket member which is affixed to the back portion. A steel loop or ringis affixed to the holster's exterior for holding the hammer.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of thepresent invention have been described in detail above, it should beunderstood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of theinvention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled inthe art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for providing a worker with a means for keeping toolsclose at hand while working, said apparatus comprising: (a) a holstermember having a predetermined shape and formed of a predeterminedmaterial and engageable with one of a user's belt and a user'swaistband, said holster member including: (i) a back portion having oneof slots formed therein for engagement with such user's belt and a clipmember attached to a back side thereto for engagement with one of suchuser's belt and waistband; (ii) a pocket member affixed to a front sideof said back portion for holding at least one tool; and (b) a ringmember engageable with one of said back portion and said pocket memberfor holding a hammer, said ring member disposed at a predetermined anglefrom one of said back portion and said pocket member.
 2. The apparatus,according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined angle is generally aright angle.
 3. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said ringmember is securely affixed to an exterior portion of both said backportion and said pocket member.
 4. The apparatus, according to claim 1,wherein said ring member is immobile in order to ensure that removal andreplacement of such hammer is with a minimum amount of trouble.
 5. Theapparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said ring member is made ofmetal.
 6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said metal issteel.
 7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said pocketmember is affixed to said back portion by means of rivets, snaps andsewing.
 8. The apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said pocketmember is affixed to said back portion by means of rivets.
 9. Theapparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said slots formed in said backportion are used to slide a user's belt therethrough and secure saidapparatus to such user's belt.
 10. The apparatus, according to claim 1,wherein said predetermined material for forming said holster is selectedfrom plastic, modified rubber, and leather.
 11. The apparatus, accordingto claim 10, wherein said predetermined material is leather.
 12. Theapparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one tool beingheld by said pocket is a utility knife.
 13. The apparatus, according toclaim 3, wherein said ring member is secured to said back member andsaid pocket member by means of rivets.
 14. The apparatus, according toclaim 1, wherein said clip member is engageable with such user's belt.15. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said back portion ofsaid holster has an aperture disposed closely adjacent a top of saidback portion.